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Re-Run Polls: Wike Condemns APC’s Plot To Arrest PDP’s Chieftains
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of plotting to use the operatives of the Department of State Security and Army to arrest prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members on the eve of the March 19 rerun National and State Assembly elections, an allegation the APC has denied.
Wike made the allegation at the 50th birthday celebration of Senator Lee Maeba in Luuwa Community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The governor had said he intercepted a letter written by the APC Chairman in the state, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, requesting the arrest of some prominent PDP members by the DSS and Army High Command on the eve of the rerun elections.
The governor reiterated that the people of the state will resist any attempt to use the security forces to rig the rerun elections.
According to him, no matter the level of intimidation and arrests of PDP members by the security forces, PDP will win the rerun legislative elections.
He said: “We will support INEC to conduct free and fair elections, but nobody who rigs the election will go free”.
He charged Ogoni people to vote all PDP candidates during the rerun elections so that the development process of his administration will be enhanced.
Wike urged the people of Rivers South East to vote Senator Olaka Nwogu, who will defend the interest of the people at the National Assembly.
According to him, Senator Magnus Abe, who now moves around with soldiers and policemen to intimidate ordinary people, will only go to the National Assembly to work against the state, hence the people should vote against him.
He announced the take-over of the Primary Health Centre in the area by the state government as a birthday gift to Senator Lee Maeba.
Wike also said the state government has advertised the project for the dualization of the Saakpenwo-Bori Road.
In his remarks, Senator Lee Maeba assured Wike that the Ogoni people will always support his administration and the PDP.
The governor was accompanied to the 50th birthday celebration of Senator Lee Maeba by Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara, former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, PDP chieftain, Chief Sergeant Awuse, and Sole Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, Ambassador Desmond Akawor.
But in a swift reaction, the APC in Rivers State denied the allegation by Governor Nyesom Wike that it is plotting the arrest of prominent PDP members in the state on the eve of the rerun National and State Assembly elections.
The Spokesman of the APC, Chris Finebone, said there is no truth in the allegation by Governor Wike.
Finebone also appealed to governor to publish the letter allegedly written by the APC chairman to the DSS and the army requesting the arrest of PDP chieftains in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
